Bases in SeaTable #
Bases are central to data collection and management in SeaTable. Whenever you collect, analyse or share data in SeaTable, a base is involved.
At first glance, a base is just a container for one or more tables. From a practical perspective, it is therefore natural to compare a base with an Excel workbook. However, this comparison does not do a base justice. Bases are superior to workbooks, as known from traditional spreadsheets, for several reasons:
- Support of various data formats (e.g. checkboxes, files, multiple selection, formatted text)
- Support for relational database functions
- Various release options for easy exchange of data
- Real-time collaboration (i.e. real-time transmission of all changes in bases to other editors)
- Interactive comment function for each data set
- Complete versioning of all changes and snapshots
- Integrated web form function and graphical form editor
- Simple integration options thanks to REST API
Bases are therefore much more than workbooks on the web. You will appreciate these advantages very quickly - and then you won't want to do without them!
Property of Bases #
Each Base has one (and only one) owner. However, the transfer of ownership of a base from one user to another is possible.
An owner of a base is either a user or a group. If a user is the owner of a base, then only this user has full power of disposal over the base. If the base belongs to a group, the administrators of the group have full access to it.
Transfer base
Direct transfer of ownership from one user to another user or to a group is currently (as of 3/20/2022) not possible. This function will be added shortly. Give the young project SeaTable some more time.
You can perform a change of ownership indirectly by having a Base exported by the old owner and imported by the new owner (For more information on exporting and importing Bases, see the Data Import and Export post in this section).
Creation of bases #
You create bases in the Bases Library. You are in this library when you log in. If you are inside a base, you can return to the Bases Library by clicking on the base icon in the top left-hand corner.
In the My Bases area and in each group you belong to, you will find an Add Base button. By clicking on this button, you create a new base in the group in which you have clicked on the button.
When creating a new base, you have three options:
- Create empty base
- Import base from a file
- Create base from a template
When creating an empty base, you must enter a name for the new base. The name may contain letters, numbers and special characters, but it may not be longer than 248 characters. Upon confirmation, the base is created and stored in the Bases library. When importing, you must select the file to be imported via file manager (e.g. Windows Explorer, Mac Finder). You can import from files in DTABLE, XLSX and CSV formats; the name of the selected file will become the name of the new Base. When creating a Base from a template, you can choose from the numerous templates. Selecting the Create Base from Template menu option opens the template menu. Browse through the different templates and choose the one that suits you.
Managing Bases #
You manage bases via their context menus. When you move the mouse pointer over one of your bases, a pencil icon appears to the right of the name and the three-dot icon for the advanced functions. You will need these regularly for managing your bases.
You cannot manage bases released to you. In the advanced functions of such bases you have only two options: Exit shared base and Copy.
Rename Base
You can rename Bases that you own or administer. Move the mouse cursor to the name of the base you want to rename, and then click the pencil icon to the right of the name.
Change base icon and colour
You can change the icons and colors of the bases you are the owner or administrator of. There are more than 10 colors and more than 20 icons available. Move the mouse cursor over the Base name and then click the pencil icon to the right of the name.
Release base
You can share bases that you own or administer with other users and people to grant access. Sharing is done with different permissions so that you have control over changes to your bases. You set up a share on a base using the advanced features of the bases. Move the mouse pointer to the Base name and click the three-dot icon to the right of the name. In the Share dialog that opens after selecting the Share menu item, you can define the type of share. (For more information on base sharing , see the Collaboration section).
Delete base
You can delete Bases of which you are the owner or administrator. Move the mouse cursor to the Base you want to delete, then click the three-dot icon to the right of its name and select Delete in the menu that opens. To permanently delete the Base and all data in it, confirm the confirmation prompt.
Copy base
You can copy all the Bases you have access to. Move the mouse cursor to the base you want to copy, then click the three-dot icon to the right of the name and select the Copy menu item. Now select where you want the base to be copied. It can either be copied to your own Bases or to one of your groups.
Export base
For backup, transfer to another user or transfer to another SeaTable server, Bases can be exported by their owners and administrators. Move the mouse cursor to the Base you want to export and select Export from the menu behind the three-dot icon. The export may take some time depending on the size of the Base. Basically, the export is done to a file of type .dtable. The name of the export file is the name of the base (for more information on exporting bases, see the article Data Import and Export in this section). If the export option is not displayed, then you do not have sufficient permissions.
Restore Base Snapshot
You can view and restore the snapshots of the Bases you own or administer. Hover the mouse cursor over the base, then click the three-dot icon to the right of the name and select Snapshots in the menu that opens to view the available snapshots. Click View to open the selected Snapshot in a new browser tab. Click Restore to copy the selected Snapshot to a new Base whose name you must enter (for more information on Snapshots, see the Versioning & Snapshots post in this section).
